How-To Approach a Website Redesign in 2022
It’s no secret that a website redesign can be a big undertaking. You have to think about everything from the user experience to the technical aspects of the site. And, of course, you want to make sure that your redesign is successful.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive website redesign checklist. It covers all the bases, from strategy to execution, so you can be confident that your redesign will be a success.
Not sure where to start with your redesign? No problem. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you through the process. But before we dive into the how's, let's take a look at the why's.
What makes a website worthy of a redesign in the first place?
![Web_Design[2]](https://prismdesign.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Web_Design2.png "Web_Design[2]")
When to Consider a Website Redesign
There are a few different situations in which you might want to consider redesigning your site:
Your website is outdated. This is probably the most common reason to redesign a website. If your site looks like it was built in the early 2000s, it’s time for an update. Not only will a dated site turn users off, but it can also hurt your search engine optimization (SEO). Google favors sites that are up-to-date, so an outdated site will likely rank lower in search results.
You’re not getting traffic or conversions. If your website isn’t getting any traffic or if visitors aren’t converting into leads or customers, then it might be time for a redesign. A redesign can help you improve your SEO and make your site more user-friendly, which can lead to more traffic and conversions.
You want to expand your business. If you’re looking to expand your business, a website redesign can help. A new website can help you reach new markets and attract new customers.
You’ve rebranded. If you’ve recently undergone a rebrand, then it’s important to update your website to reflect your new identity. A website redesign is the perfect opportunity to do this.
You're getting poor reviews. Sometimes it's as simple as receiving complaints or remarks from clients, customers, co-workers or friends. If someone is telling you that they're having a poor user experience, or they're running into issues that stem from the design itself, then it's time to consider a change.
What is a Redesign & What Makes It So Important?
A website redesign is the process of updating an existing website. This can involve anything from changing the color scheme to completely overhauling the site’s structure and design.
Remember all of those above reasons for why your site might need a redesign? Well, there's your answer. Your website is a reflection of your business, and an extension of your reputation. It needs to be up-to-date, easy to use, and designed with your users in mind. In short, a redesign can help you achieve your business goals.
The Website Redesign Process: A Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Planning
This is the stage where you determine your goals for the redesign, assess your current website, and create a plan of action.
During the planning phase, conduct an audit of your current site and ask yourself important questions about the following:
Domain Name: At the highest level, your domain name is the first impression a visitor sees. It should be professional, and make sense for your business. Have you chosen a domain name that suits your needs and is a reflection of your brand?
Hosting: Your hosting plan should be able to accommodate your website’s traffic and growth. Do you need a change in hosting providers?
Logo: Your company is the main character in this story, and your logo is the face of it. Is your logo prominently featured across your website? Does it accurately reflect your brand? Is it up-to-date? The logo is essential in establishing brand recognition for your company. It should be visible on every page and on the favicon of the webpage tab.
Content: Your content should be well-written, relevant, and keyword-optimized. This includes incorporating FAQ sections where applicable, such as on product pages where content is harder to incorporate (and don't forget to wrap it in schema markup!)
Design & Navigation: Your website’s design should be user-friendly and responsive. The navigation should be easy to understand and use, and it should lead users precisely where they need to go.
Calls-To-Action (CTAs): If your website’s goal is to convert visitors into leads or customers, then CTAs are incredibly important. Does your site have clear and effective calls-to-actions? Are they placed prominently on the page?
Once you have answers to these questions, your planning phase will consist of mapping out your redesign strategy. This includes creating buyer personas, determining your website’s goals, wireframing the site’s structure, and creating a sitemap.
If you're unsure of where to begin, a qualified web agency will be able to guide you through this process, and help you design a brand new website that fits your brand, meets your needs and impresses potential clients.
Step 2: Execution
This is the stage where you actually design and build the new website.
Design: The design phase begins with the creation of a visual sitemap, which is a graphical representation of the website’s structure. This helps you determine what pages you need, and how they’ll be interconnected. Once the visual sitemap is complete, you can move on to designing each individual page.
Development: In the development phase, all of the website’s code is written. This includes the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that makes up the front-end of the site, as well as any back-end code that might be necessary (for example, if you're using a content management system).
Step 3: Testing & Launch
This is the stage where you go live with the new website and promote it to the world.
Before you launch the site, it’s important to test everything. This includes testing the functionality of all the website’s features, as well as making sure that all the content is accurate and free of spelling and grammatical errors.
Once the website is live, you’ll want to promote it through various channels, such as social media, email marketing, and paid advertising.
In Conclusion
There you have it! Following these three steps will help ensure that your website redesign is a success. But of course, if you need any assistance along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Prism Design Co. for a free consultation.